: possibly but not certainly : maybe
: something open to doubt or conjecture
Synonyms
Examples of perhaps in a Sentence
Adverb
perhaps we will not have to take this exam, but I doubt it
Recent Examples on the Web
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
Other young men and women who shared his illness also died far too young, their veins and arteries ravaged by the disease, and perhaps—there was no way to tell—by the insulin therapy and associated dietary protocols that had kept them alive in the first place.
—Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
That now some stranger, for some strange reason, perhaps wanted to give him back.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
More likely perhaps than strangulation, which would require strength, stamina, patience.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
After all, she's been manifesting it for seven years — perhaps even longer.
—Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
On the outside, the Miami Lakes church looks like any other house of God, perhaps plainer than most.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
With that much money in the bank, perhaps Scheffler will level up and rock the new solid-gold Deepsea next.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
Defender Naomi Girma’s thigh injury sustained April 6 looms as perhaps the Wave’s biggest challenge.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Adverb
If it’s just meant to be one chapter in the middle of many others, then perhaps a less traumatic conflict was called for.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
Other young men and women who shared his illness also died far too young, their veins and arteries ravaged by the disease, and perhaps—there was no way to tell—by the insulin therapy and associated dietary protocols that had kept them alive in the first place.
—Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
That now some stranger, for some strange reason, perhaps wanted to give him back.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
More likely perhaps than strangulation, which would require strength, stamina, patience.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
After all, she's been manifesting it for seven years — perhaps even longer.
—Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
On the outside, the Miami Lakes church looks like any other house of God, perhaps plainer than most.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
With that much money in the bank, perhaps Scheffler will level up and rock the new solid-gold Deepsea next.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
Defender Naomi Girma’s thigh injury sustained April 6 looms as perhaps the Wave’s biggest challenge.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perhaps.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near perhaps
Cite this Entry
“Perhaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perhaps. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on perhaps
Nglish: Translation of perhaps for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of perhaps for Arabic Speakers
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